ROBERT QUINE, 61

Robert Quine, a noted guitarist of the New York rock scene of the 1970s and '80s who played with Richard Hell, Lou Reed and others, has died in Manhattan. He was 61.

He was found dead by police June 4, said James Marshall, a friend. Police said they thought the death was a suicide but are awaiting a medical examiner's report. Marshall said he thought Mr. Quine died May 31.

In the loud world of New York punk, where crude simplicity trumped most conventional notions of musical skill, Mr. Quine stood out as a stylish virtuoso. His guitar, first heard on "Blank Generation," the 1977 album by Richard Hell and the Voidoids, borrowed equally from rockabilly, jazz and the Velvet Underground, giving the music a quick, agitated pulse and an explosive power.

"He was an extraordinary mixture of taste, intelligence and rock 'n' roll abilities, coupled with major technique and a scholar's memory for every decent guitar lick ever played under the musical sun," Reed said.

The Voidoids made only two albums, but Mr. Quine's versatility gave him a long career as a sideman and studio guitarist.

He was an anomaly in the punk scene. Older than most of his fellow musicians, he had a law degree and was nearly bald, and wore button-down shirts and sport coats and described his appearance as that of a "deranged insurance salesman."

Besides his work with the Voidoids and Reed, Mr. Quine also played with Marianne Faithfull, Material, James Chance, Tom Waits, Brian Eno and John Zorn.

In the 1990s he played with Matthew Sweet and Lloyd Cole. He also made duo recordings with guitarist Jody Harris and drummer Fred Maher.